Earth boring machine and method

ABSTRACT

The machine frame is mounted onto a lower portion of an expandable forward support ring for sideways pivotal movement of the frame and the cutterhead carried thereby about an axis which is generally parallel to the centerline of the tunnel. The cutterhead cuts a circle which is generally equal in diameter with the support ring. A steering link extends laterally of the tunnel and is connected at one of its ends to the frame and at its opposite end to the support ring. It is used for tilting the cutterhead sideways, so as to offset the cutterhead from the support ring, to in that manner change the course of the tunnel.

United States Patent 1191 Cass Jan. 21, 1975 EARTH BORING MACHINE ANDMETHOD Primary Examiner-Ernest R. Purser [75] Inventor. Davld T. Cass,Seattle, Wash. Assistant Examiner wmiam F. Pate m Assigneei The Robbinsp y Seattle, Attorney, Agent, or FirmGraybeal, Barnard, Uhlir &

Wash. Hughes [22] Filed. Feb. 8, 1974 ABSTRACT [21] Appl' N05 440695 Themachine frame is mounted onto a lower portion of an expandable forwardsupport ring for sideways 521 US. Cl 299/10, 175/61, 175/76, Pivotalmovement of the frame and the culierhead 299/31 carried thereby about anaxis which is generally paral- [51] Int. Cl. E2lc 35/08 is] to thecenterline of thfi The cutterhfiad cuts 58 Field of Search 299/10, 31,33; 175/62, 21 Circle which is generally equal in diameter with the 17573 7 1 35 support ring. A steering link extends laterally of the tunneland is connected at one of its ends to the frame [5 References Cited andat its opposite end to the support ring. It is used UNITED STATESPATENTS for tilting the cutterhead sideways, so as to offset thecutterhead from the support ring, to in that manner ifiiflrsglgli et al.299/31 change the Course of the tunnel. 3,695,718 10/1972 Lauber 299/10X 11 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEU JANZI I975 SHEET 30F 3 EARTHBORING MACHINE AND METHOD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theInvention This invention relates to earth boring machines, and inparticular to machine and method aspects of driving a large head boringmachine along a curve.

2. Description of the Prior Art Examples of known earth boring machineswhich are advanced by thrust rams which react rearwardly against agripper assembly are shown by U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,287, granted Oct. 30,1972, to James S. Robbins; by U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,737, granted Aug. 31,1965 to Richard J. Robbins, Douglas F. Winberg and John Galgoczy; byU.S. Pat. No. 3,295,892, granted Jan. 3, 1967, to Douglas F. Winberg andJohn Galgoczy; by US. Pat. No. 3,383,133, granted May 14, 1968 to VictorJ. Scaravilli and Charles J. Delisio and by U.S. Pat. No. 3,598,445,granted Aug. 10, 1971 to Douglas F. Winberg.

It is known to horizontally turn a boring machine of the above describedtype by rolling or tilting its frame sideways about its forward lowerpoint of support floor, so as to horizontally offset the course of thecutterhead. The mechanism used for tilting the frame comprised a pair ofsubstantially quarter-circular shoes which are located on opposite sidesof the machine. The shoes were pivotally connected at their lower endsto a lower central portion of the cutterhead support. Such shoesprojected upwardly from their pivotal connections and extended along thecurved lower portions of the tunnel. A double-acting hydraulic cylinderwas interconnected between the upper end of each shoe and an adjacentpart of the cutterhead support. The machine was tilted by a shorteningof the cylinder on the side of the machine towards which the machine isto be turned and a corresponding lengthening of the opposite sidecylinder. The machine included an overhead shield basically like the onedisclosed by the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,295,892. It wasnecessary to retract such shield from the tunnel roof before the machinecould be tilted sideways. As a result the roof support was lost duringturning.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The tunnel boring machine of this inventionincludes means for tilting the cutterhead sideways relative to a forwardsupport ring in the tunnel, for the purpose of changing the course ofthe tunneling machine without a loss of roof support.

In preferred form, the boring machine of this invention comprises a mainframe having a forwardly positioned cutterhead support and an elongatedbeam which extends rearwardly in the tunnel from the cutterhead support.A gripper assembly is spaced rearwardly of the cutterhead support.Thrust rams for shoving the boring machine forwardly relative to thegripper assembly are interconnected between the gripper assembly and theframe. The frame is supported at its forward end by an expandablesupport ring. The frame is pivotally connected to the support ring,preferably at the base of the ring, and an adjustable link is providedbetween the cutterhead support and the support ring, for tilting thecutterhead support, and hence the cutterhead carried thereby, sidewaysrelative to the support ring, for the purpose of changing the course ofthe boring machine.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is an isometric view taken fromup above, looking towards the front and one side of the basic componentsof an embodiment of the tunneling machine of this invention, with someparts cut away for clarity of illustration of other parts;

FIG. 2 is the side elevational view of the tunneling machine, with somecomponents shown in section;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view through the tunneling machine, takensubstantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken through the tunneling machine,substantially along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken through the tunneling machine,substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view through the gripper assembly, takensubstantially along line 6-6 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view showing the tunneling machine at the. end of astraight section of tunnel and about to enter a curve;

FIG. 8 is a view like FIG. 7, but showing the tunneling machine movedinto the curve; and

FIG. 9 is a view like FIGS. 7 and 8, but showing the tunneling machinemoved an additional amount into the curve.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the several figuresof the drawing, the illustrated embodiment comprises a support ring 10which supports the forward portion of a frame 12. Frame 12 comprises acutterhead support 14 and an elongated beam 16 which trails rearwardlyfrom cutterhead support 14. A rotary cutterhead 18 is mounted forrotation on the cutterhead support 14. Small drive gears 22 driven bymotors 20 mesh with a large diameter gear 24 on the cutterhead l8.Cutter elements 26 on cutterhead l8 dislodge material from the tunnelface and scoops 28 pick up the material and start it along a rearwardcourse. The material is moved through the cutterhead l8 and onto aconveyor which is housed in the main beam 16, for example, as shown byU.S. Pat. No. 3,640,077, granted Feb. 8, 1972, to Frank George Watsonand David Burnett Sugden.

The mechanism which advances the boring machine forwardly in the tunnelincludes a gripper assembly which is basically like the gripper assemblydisclosed by the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,203,737.

The gripper assembly 30 may comprise a gripper carrier 32 having atransverse passageway 34 formed therein in which two collinear grippercylinders 36, 38 are housed. The cylinders 36, 38 comprise pistonchambers which are rigidly connected together at their closed ends byupper and lower beam members 40, 42. A piston, one of which isdesignated 44, is located within each cylinder 36, 38. Piston rods 46,48 extend outwardly from the pistons (44) and at their outer ends areconnected to tunnel wall engaging gripper pads 50, 52.

Referring to FIG. 6, a trunion member 54 extends between the two sidesof support 32 and is mounted at its ends for rotation about an axis Xwhich is generally di-' rected axially of the tunnel. A pin 56 extendsperpendicularly through the trunion member 54. Pin 56 extends between,and at its ends is anchored to, the two beam members 40, 42, and isrotatable relative to member 54. Owing to this arrangement the trunionmember 54 and the carrier 32 are rotatable as a unit about the axis ofpin 56, i.e. axis Z (FIG. 4), within the limits of the space 34.

Gripper carrier 32 includes a pair of opposed slide bearings 58, 60which receive and guide edge portions of a rail 62 which is part of thebeam 16. A pair of double-acting hydraulic cylinders 64, 66 areinterconnected between upper portions of the carrier 32 and the bodiesof the cylinders 36, 38 (FIG. 4). Pivotal connections are provided ateach end of the cylinders 64, 66. The cylinders 64, 66 constituteadjustable torque transfer links between the frame 12 and the gripperassembly 30, as will hereinafter be explained in greater detail.

Referring to FIG. 6, the gripper carrier 32 includes four corner placedsprings 68 which function to automatically center the cylinders 36, 38with respect to the carrier 32. The compression springs 68 react againstpads 70 which make sliding contact with the side wall of the cylinderhousings.

In the conventional manner, a pair of double-acting hydraulic thrustrams or cylinders 72, 74 are interconnected between the gripper pads 50,52 of the gripper assembly 30 and forward portions of the frame 12, inthe vicinity of the cutterhead support 14.

FIG. 1 shows the boring machine at the start of an advance. The grippercylinders 36, 38 are extended, forcing the gripper pads 50, 52 outwardlyinto gripping contact with opposite side wall portions of the tunnel.Hydraulic fluid is delivered into the thrust rams 72, 74 to cause theirextension. As they extend they react rearwardly against the gripperassembly 30 and shove the frame 12, and the cutterhead 18 carriedthereby, axially forwardly against the tunnel face. At the same time themotors 20 are operated to rotate the cutterhead 18. Cutterhead rotationand machine advance causes the disc cutter elements 26 to cut concentrickerfs in the tunnel face and to dislodge the material between the kerfs.The dislodged material is picked up by the scoops 28 and delivered intoan overhead chute which deposits such material onto the conveyor housedwithin the beam 16. As the frame 12 moves forwardly the guide rail 62moves forwardly through the guide bearings 58, 60 on the carrier 32.When the propulsion rams 72, 74 reach the ends of their stroke, thecylinders 36, 38 are retracted to withdraw the gripper pads 50, 52 fromengagement with the tunnel wall. Then, the propulsion rams 72, 74 areretracted to in that manner pull the gripper assembly 70 forwardly alongthe rail 62. When the gripper assembly is at a forward position on therail 62, the cylinders 36, 38 are again extended and the above describedprocedure is repeated.

In preferred form, the support ring is of sectional construction, and isprovided with means for adjusting its diameter, as will hereinafter beexplained in detail. The illustrated embodiment comprises a pair of sidesections 74, 76 which are hinge connected where they meet at the bottomof the tunnel. The cutterhead support 14 rests on a pedestal 72. A largediameter pivot.

pin 78 may be used for both pivotally connecting the lower ends of ringsections 74, 76 together, and for pivotally mounting a lower portion ofpedestal 72 onto the ring 10. Pin 78 connects the cutterhead support 14,and hence the entire frame 12, to the support ring 10 at a locationclose to the tunnel wall. Pin 78 provides for pivotal movement of frame12 about the axis of pin 78. Such axis extends generally parallel to thecenter line of the tunnel (FIGS. 2 and 3).

v The illustrated embodiment of the ring 10 also comprises a thirdsection which is the upper section of the ring. It is connected to theside sections 74, 76 by means of extendible-retractable links, such asdoubleacting hydraulic cylinders 82, 84. The ends of the hydrauliccylinders 82, 84 are pivotally attached to the ring sections 74, 76, 80.Extension of the cylinders 82,

84 expands the ring 10. Retraction of the hydraulic cylinders 82, 84contracts the ring 10.

A steering cylinder 86 extends laterally of the tunnel and is connectedat one of its ends to a bracket 88 secured to an upper portion of thecutterhead support 14 and at its opposite end to a bracket 90 secured tothe upper section 80 of support ring 10. The ends of the cylinder 86 areconnected to the brackets 88, 90 by means of pivot pins.

The cutterhead 18 cuts a circle which is generally equal to the expandeddiameter of the ring 10. The center of rotation of the cutterhead 18generally coincides with the center axis of support ring 10 when theboring machine is being used for boring a tunnel which is horizontallystraight.

When it is desired to turn the machine horizontally, the steeringcylinder 86 is either extended or retracted (depending on the desireddirection of turn) for the purpose of tilting the cutterhead l8 sidewaysrelative to the support ring 10 (FIG. 3). Cylinder 86 also holds theframe 12 in position relative to support ring 10. Thus,

it is a means of adjustably affixing the frame 12 in position relativeto support ring 10.

Preferably, the cutterhead is progressively offset sideways duringadvancement of the machine. This is so that the change in direction ofthe tunnel will be gradual and will closely followalong a smooth curve.FIG. 3 includes a broken line showing of a full offset position ofcutterhead 18. When the support ring 10 enters the offset region it isinfluenced sideways by the change in direction of the bore.

Translation of the support ring 10 also causes the frame 12 and thecutterhead 18 to translate. The frame 12 must be moved forward in such amanner that the rear portion of beam 16, (or some other structure, e.g.,an operators station, which follows the beam 16 and moves with it) willnot contact the tunnel wall. By way of example, in FIGS. 5 and 7 9 theside locations on the tunnel wall at the upper level of the beam 16 arelabeled a, b. When the machine is being moved through a curve that isgradual enough so that the general plane of ring 10 can be substantiallymaintained on a radius line r, and the beam 16 substantially on a cord0, without the rear portion of beam 16 making contact with either of thetunnel side locations 0, b, the machine will be turned in this fashion.Without releasing the grip on the tunnel wall the cylinder (36 or 38)which is on the inside of the curve is shortened and the oppositecylinder is lengthened an equal amount (FIG. 8). If the machine must beturned along a curve which is sharp enough that rear end contact of thebeam 16 (or other trailing structure) with a side location b, c on thetunnel would prevent holding the ring 10 on a radius line and the beaml6 on a cord, the gripper cylinder (36 or 38) which is on the inside ofthe curve is shortened and the opposite cylinder is lengthened, so thatthe ring 10 and the beam 16 will occupy positions substantially as lieon curves which correspond to the desired side boundaries of the tunnel.7

Beam 16 must be able to yaw relative to the anchored gripper assembly asthe frame 12 is translated. This movement is made possible by the pivotpin 56.

Operation of the steering cylinder 86 to tilt the cutterhead l8 sidewaysoccurs at a time when the gripper assembly is gripping the tunnel wall.Thus, the beam 16 must roll relative to the anchored gripper assembly30. Such movement is accommodated by adjustment of the torque cylinders64, 66. The cylinder 64, 66 on the inside of the curve is shortened andthe other torque cylinder is lengthened.

When the gripper shoes 50, 52 are retracted so that the gripper assembly30 may be pulled forwardly into a new position the centering springs 68serves to auto- 20 matically return the gripper cylinders 36, 38 tocentered positions with respect to the carrier 32.

As can be readily appreciated, the horizontal turning of the boringmachine is achieved without any loss of roof support at the front of themachine and without a loss of grip by the gripper assembly. Ring 10 maybe a portion of a shield structure which is supported on ring 10 andextends rearly from ring 10.

It is believed that the invention will have been clearly understood fromthe foregoing detailed description of our now-preferred illustratedembodiment. Changes in the details of construction may be resorted towithout departing from the spirit of the invention and it is accordinglyour intention that no limitations be implied and that the heretoannexedclaims be given the broadest interpretation to which the employedlanguage fairly admits.

What is claimed is:

1. An axially advanceable tunnel boring machine, 4

comprising:

a support ring anchorable in a tunnel; a frame including a cutterheadsupport portion adjacent said support ring;

means pivotally connecting said frame to the support ring at a locationclose to the tunnel wall, for pivotal movement relative to said supportring about a pivot axis which generally extends parallel to the centerline of the tunnel,

a forwardly directed rotary cutterhead supported on 0 said cutterheadsupport, including cutter means thereon for cutting a bore which isgenerally equal in diameter with said support ring;

means for tilting said frame, and hence, the cutterhead carried thereby,laterally of the tunnel about 5 means for advancing said machine duringrotation of said cutterhead. 2. A tunneling boring machine according toclaim 1, wherein the support ring includes means for frictionallygripping the tunnel wall, to anchor such support ring in place withinthe tunnel.

3. A tunneling boring machine according to cla1m 1, wherein said supportring comprises at least two sections which are interconnected by anexpandable link which is adjustable to expand and contract the supportring, such support ring being expandable outwardly intofrictional'engagement with the walls of the tunnel.

4. A tunneling machine according to claim 3, wherein said support ringincludes at least two sections which are hinged together at and by themeans which pivotally connects the frame to the support ring, and saidsupport ring further includes means for swinging said sections outwardlyinto frictional contact with the wall of the tunnel.

5. A tunneling boring machine according to claim I, wherein said meansfor tilting said frame from said sup-' port ring, and for adjustableaffixing such frame in position relative to said support ring, comprisesa double acting hydraulic cylinder which extends transversely of thetunnel and is connected at one of its ends to the frame and at its otherend to the support ring.

6. A tunneling machine according to claim 1, wherein said frame alsoincludes an elongated beam portion which extends rearwardly from thecutterhead support, and wherein said means advancing said machineincludes a gripper assembly spaced rearwardly from said cutterheadsupport and including laterally extendible and retractable gripper padmeans, guide means for said beam portion mounting said gripper assemblyfor longitudinal back-and-forth movement along said beam portion, andpropulsion ram means interconnected between said gripper assembly andthe frame in the vicinity of said cutterhead support.

7. A tunneling machine according to claim 6, wherein said gripperassembly includes means mounting the gripper pad means for vertical,roll and yaw movement relative to the beam portion.

8. A tunneling machine according to claim 6, wherein said support ringincludes means for frictionally gripping the tunnel wall, to anchor suchsupport ring in place within the tunnel.

9. A tunneling machine according to claim 6, wherein said support ringcomprises at least two sections which are interconnected by anexpandible link 0 which is adjustable to expand and contract the supportring, such support ring being expandable outwardly into frictionalengagement with the walls of the tunnel.

10. A tunneling machine according to claim 9, wherein said support ringincludes at least two sections which are hinged together at and by themeans which pivotally connects the frame to the support ring, and saidsupport ring further includes means for swinging said sections outwardlyinto frictional contact with the wall of the tunnel.

11. A method of steering a tunnel boring machine of a type having asingle rotating cutterhead at its forward end which carries cutter meansfor dislodging material from the tunnel face as the cutterhead is bothrotated and advanced axially forwardly, said method compris- IIIupporting the front end of a boring machine on a support ring which issubstantially the diameter of the bore cut by the cutterhead;

sliding said support ring as the machine advances;

holding the support ring in position while tilting the cutterheadlaterally of the tunnel towards the direction of desired turn, and thenpositively holding said cutterhead in such tilted position, so that thecutterhead will cut a bore which is offset from a centered position withrespect to the support ring towards the inside of the turn; and

advancing the boring machine forwardly while rotating the offsetcutterhead.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,861,748 Dated January 21 1975 Inventor(s) David T CaSS It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that saidLettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 51, the number "70" should be Column 4, line 53, theletter "r" should be y Column 4, line 62, the letters "b,c" should beClaim 4, line 1, "3" should be l Claim 7, line 3, delete the word"vertical" Claim 10, line 1, "9" should be 6 Slgntd and Sealed this[SEAL] Sixteenth D3) of November 1976 Arrest;

RUTH C. MASON Arresting Officer

1. An axially advanceable tunnel boring machine, comprising: a supportring anchorable in a tunnel; a frame including a cutterhead supportportion adjacent said support ring; means pivotally connecting saidframe to the support ring at a location close to the tunnel wall, forpivotal movement relative to said support ring about a pivot axis whichgenerally extends parallel to the center line of the tunnel, a forwardlydirected rotary cutterhead supported on said cutterhead support,including cutter means thereon for cutting a bore which is generallyequal in diameter with said support ring; means for tilting said frame,and hence, the cutterhead carried thereby, laterally of the tunnel aboutsaid pivot axis, and for adjustably affixing such frame in positionrelative to said support ring, so that said cutterhead can be tiltedfrom said support ring to in that manner change the direction of thebore; and means for advancing said machine during rotation of saidcutterhead.
 2. A tunneling boring machine according to claim 1, whereinthe support ring includes means for frictionally gripping the tunnelwall, to anchor such support ring in place within the tunnel.
 3. Atunneling boring machine according to claim 1, wherein said support ringcomprises at least two sections which are interconnected by anexpandable link which is adjustable to expand and contract the supportring, such support ring being expandable outwardly into frictionalengagement with the walls of the tunnel.
 4. A tunneling machineaccording to claim 3, wherein said support ring includes at least twosections which are hinged together at and by the means which pivotallyconnects the frame to the support ring, and said support ring furtherincludes means for swinging said sections outwardly into frictionalcontact with the wall of the tunnel.
 5. A tunneling boring machineaccording to claim 1, wherein said means for tilting said frame fromsaid support ring, and for adjustable affixing such frame in positionrelative to said support ring, comprises a double-acting hydrauliccylinder which extends transversely of the tunnel and is connected atone of its ends to the frame and at its other end to the support ring.6. A tunneling machine according to claim 1, wherein said frame alsoincludes an elongated beam portion which extends rearwardly from thecutterhead support, and wherein said means advancing said machineincludes a gripper assembly spaced rearwardly from said cutterheadsupport and including laterally extendible and retractable gripper padmeans, guide means for said beam portion mounting said gripper assemblyfor longitudinal back-and-forth movement along said beam portion, andpropulsion ram means interconnected between said gripper assembly andthe frame in the vicinity of said cutterhead support.
 7. A tunnelingmachine according to claim 6, wherein said gripper assembly includesmeans mounting the gripper pad means for vertical, roll and yaw movementrelative to the beam portion.
 8. A tunneling machine according to claim6, wherein said support ring includes means for frictionally grippingthe tunnel wall, to anchor such support ring in place within the tunnel.9. A tunneling machine according to claim 6, wherein said support ringcomprises at leasT two sections which are interconnected by anexpandible link which is adjustable to expand and contract the supportring, such support ring being expandable outwardly into frictionalengagement with the walls of the tunnel.
 10. A tunneling machineaccording to claim 9, wherein said support ring includes at least twosections which are hinged together at and by the means which pivotallyconnects the frame to the support ring, and said support ring furtherincludes means for swinging said sections outwardly into frictionalcontact with the wall of the tunnel.
 11. A method of steering a tunnelboring machine of a type having a single rotating cutterhead at itsforward end which carries cutter means for dislodging material from thetunnel face as the cutterhead is both rotated and advanced axiallyforwardly, said method comprising: supporting the front end of a boringmachine on a support ring which is substantially the diameter of thebore cut by the cutterhead; sliding said support ring as the machineadvances; holding the support ring in position while tilting thecutterhead laterally of the tunnel towards the direction of desiredturn, and then positively holding said cutterhead in such tiltedposition, so that the cutterhead will cut a bore which is offset from acentered position with respect to the support ring towards the inside ofthe turn; and advancing the boring machine forwardly while rotating theoffset cutterhead.